I think I work for a scam!

Honestme

I'm an honest goodhearted person, my atitude is that the customer is always right - and look after your staff and they will look after you.
I've worked for a number of internet marketing companies now, at each one I've gone from a position of speaking with (usually angry) clients, to a purely administration role to aviod activley working in a way that is fooling clients into handing over their hard earned cash.

I recently moved to work with a previous collegue who assured me his new business would be different.

6 months down the line.. it isn't, and now I'm supposed to be Customer Services manager!

My problem is that my new boss is a very clever and slimy man who can talk his way out of anything. The terms of what we are selling also trick customers into handing over more money. I'm aware that he is lying to me and the other staff about the costs of running the business and I've witnessed him unfairly refusing to pay people the wages they've been promised or owed.
But this is all stuff that I shouldn't really know about. For the moment I am being paid but I'm worried that the second I pipe up he will scarper and not pay me what I've earned.

I'm really struggling with what to do.. my conscience is yelling at me 'LOOK AFTER YOUR CLIENTS' - but the boss is saying 'TAKE THEIR MONEY'

lincroft1710

Bear in mind that those who work for/with scammers, albeit innocently, will usually be tarred with the same brush. Also when will his dishonest wages policy affect your pay packet even if you don't speak up.

Seriously look for another job, and I appreciate it isn't easy in the present economic climate.

joanna_johnson

I worked very briefly for a really dodgy property company. I was only there a matter of months. On the day I left I was asked to 'produce' 10 x witness statements to submit to court on a 'defence to counterclaim'. I refused and was told to 'get my bag and go'.......as I drove home a huge weight was lifted from my mind! I knew that one day I would have been taking the witness stand and would be expected to lie for the cheating thieving excuse for a human being and I knew I would never be prepared to do that!

One word of advice though....if you are planning to leave don't give notice as you will most likely be chasing on your wages owed for many months. When I had been at the company a week, the accounts lady waited until her pay had gone into her bank account and promptly left! At the time I thought it was a bit underhand but was assured by another member of staff that if she had given notice, she would never have received her pay!

These disgusting creatures are on a power trip and think it is ok to play with people's lives.

Find yourself a decent job and go! You won't regret it!

Oh by the way, I am still waiting on wages owed to me!

seven-day-weekend

I agree, look for another job asap and make sure you get your wages before you go.

ceridwen

Certainly - check out your finances and make sure they are as sorted out as possible, ie:
- debts cleared
- well stocked-up with food, etc
- got an emergency savings fund enough to live on for a few months if need be
- worked out what benefit you would be entitled to if the s**t hits the fan

AND LOOK FOR ANOTHER JOB

I would certainly echo making sure your most recent bit of salary has just safely cleared through the bank before leaving (without notice). He DOES sound highly likely to end up owing you money too if you don't watch out.

If you stay in this one any longer than you can help then you might be at risk of "being tarred with the same brush" (ie people thinking you are into this sort of conduct too). So - you do have to do what you can to safeguard your own reputation here as well.

Having done all you can do and made sure you are safe from "getting drawn into the maelstrom" - when the coast is clear (ie you are well clear of this "character" safely ensconced in another job) - then is there anyone you can report his conduct to (if only an article about him in the local Press)?

(I wouldnt be at all surprised if at some point in the next couple of years you spot him in the local Press anyway - mentioned as having gone bankrupt...

I wouldnt be surprised if he is already planning for that possibility - by putting all HIS assets into his wife's name....to ensure he's used that legal loophole to make sure he keeps the money he should be repaying to creditors).

Honestme

Well I've managed to get myself another job- its doing something that I'm really pleased about (Honest Work) but its only part time.

I was supposed to be paid today but it never happened. The boss has been ignoring my calls and texts all day.

He's really got one over one me.. I'm so close to naming and shaming - so close to calling watchdog... getting to breaking point.

jbreckmckye

Do it. Be 'honest'. Inform his clients what he's doing. You don't need to CC him in on the messages - just doing it will be enough.

joanna_johnson

Honestme...glad you have left and got a new job. Put the whole nasty experience behind you. Yes, name and shame!!! Good luck with your new job.

Honestme

I unfortunately have not been paid from the scam job. so I am being a model employee, I'm at work right now... At the moment I'm doing my best to give him no good reason not to pay me. at this point as soon as i get some money from him i'm outta here.

Thank you all for the supportive messages. Will keep you updated.

Honestme

ooo, sent him a text saying is there any chance he could let me know when I was getting paid and if i could expect to see him.. he replied with 'within half an hour'

we will see what happens!

12bdebt3

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/ResolvingWorkplaceDisputes/Whistleblowingintheworkplace/DG_10026552